Chapter 8 Summary

About a week after Dr. Bormenthal took Sharikov to the circus, there is an argument in the household about how to address one another. Philippovich wants Sharikov to address everyone by their names and patronymics, but he refuses to call Sharikov "Polygraph Polygraphovich" because it's a ridiculous name. He decides to call him "Mr. Sharikov," but Sharikov doesn't want to be called "mister," because it's bourgeois. The argument heats up until Philippovich threatens Sharikov that he will serve him no more dinners if the outbursts continue. Sharikov is so upset that he slashes his own cheek with a razor, and Bormenthal and Philippovich have to give him stitches.

Later that evening, Sharikov steals some money from Philippovich's office and comes back drunk very late. He brings two strangers with him and demands that they stay in the apartment overnight as his guests. The doorman Fyodor calls out...